[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 36094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14626]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[CGD08-04-023]


Notice of Public Hearing on Simmesport Railroad Bridge Across the 
Atchafalaya River, Mile 4.4 at Simmesport, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will hold a public hearing to receive comments 
concerning the alteration of the Simmesport Railroad Bridge at 
Simmesport, Louisiana. The hearing will allow interested persons to 
present comments and information about the bridge being an unreasonable 
obstruction.

DATES: The hearing will be held on July 20, 2004, commencing at 1 p.m. 
Comments must be received by July 12, 2004. Requests to speak must be 
received in the Office of Bridge Administration at the address given 
under ADDRESSES by July 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers, Government 
Building, 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802.
    Written comments may be submitted to, and will be available for 
examination between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays at the office of the Commander Eighth Coast Guard 
District (obr), Bridge Administration Branch, 1222 Spruce Street, St. 
Louis, MO 63103-2832.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge 
Administrator, telephone (314) 539-3900, extension 2378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Complaints have been received alleging that the bridge is 
unreasonably obstructive to navigation. Information available to the 
Coast Guard indicates numerous bridge allusions have occurred between 
1991 and 2003. The navigation opening of the bridge is 131 feet and 
causes significant delays to commercial water traffic during periods of 
high water mariners avoid transiting the Simmesport Railroad Bridge and 
take the Port Allen Route to Morgan City, Louisiana, thereby adding 137 
miles or one day to their trip. Based on the comments received at the 
public hearing, the bridge may be found to be unreasonably obstructive 
to navigation. Such a finding may require relocating and increasing the 
horizontal clearance of the railroad bridge to meet the needs of 
navigation.

Procedural

    Please submit all comments in an unbound format, no larger than 8 x 
11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting 
acknowledgement of receipt of comments should enclose a stamped, self-
addressed postcard or envelope.
    Any person, who wishes, may appear and be heard at this public 
hearing. Individuals and representatives of organizations that wish to 
present testimony at the hearing may submit a request to this office at 
the address listed under ADDRESSES clearly indicating name and 
organization represented. Requests to speak should be received no later 
than July 12, 2004, in order to ensure proper scheduling for the 
hearing. Depending on the number of scheduled statements, it may be 
necessary to limit the amount of time allocated to each person. Any 
limitation of time allocated will be announced at the beginning of the 
hearing. Written statements and other exhibits may be submitted in lieu 
of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the hearing, and may be 
submitted to this office at the address listed under ADDRESSES unit 
July 12, 2004, for inclusion in the public hearing transcript. 
Transcripts of the hearing will be made available for purchase upon 
request.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information about facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District (obr). Please request these 
services by contacting this office at the phone number under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or in writing at the address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Any requests for an oral or sign language interpreter must 
be received by July 12, 2004.

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 513; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1

    Dated: June 14, 2004.
R.F. Duncan,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 04-14626 Filed 6-23-04; 3:18 pm]
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